Hard_Edges_Mapping_SMD_FINAL_VERSION_Web

30 Hard edges
OASys collects ratings on a large array of
background problem indicators, mainly
based on evidence that these factors can
help to predict re-offending. Table 4 looks at
proportions of cases in each SMD category
where ‘significant’ or ‘any’ problems of
the relevant type are reported. 17 There is a
remarkable consistency in terms of the way
these indicators rise as you move from people
experiencing SMD1 to the SMD3 category.
There is a high level of consistency with the
MEH findings on many indicators, such as
a low level of qualifications and severely
disrupted schooling.
The background issues and characteristics
associated with the most sharply differentiated
incidence between SMD3 and SMD1 related
to family relationship problems, problematic
relationships with partners, poor work
skills, significant learning difficulties and,
most significantly, childhood psychological
problems (see also Sainsbury Centre for Mental
Health, 2009).
These findings suggest that, in addition to
general background poverty, it is in the realms
of family relationships and of educational
experience that we can find the most important
roots of SMD experiences involving offending
for adults.
17
We are selective here, focusing
on those indicators with the
most striking patterns.
Table 4: Background factors in Offender Assessment by SMD Category
Background indicator SMD1 SMD2 SMD3
First convicted < 14 14.7% 16.9% 18.9%
First police contact >14 21.8% 25.1% 27.4%
Work skills (significant problem) 18.1% 29.6% 38.7%
School attendance (significant problem) 30.4% 39.7% 46.8%
Literacy (significant problem) 7.3% 9.5% 11.4%
Numeracy 11.1% 13.8% 16.1%
Learning difficulty (significant problem) 4.4% 6.3% 8.0%
No qualifications 35.5% 43.9% 48.6%
Family relationship problems 10.3% 17.8% 32.4%
Childhood experience (significant problem) 25.9% 33.3% 43.0%
Partner relationship (significant problem) 9.1% 15.1% 23.6%
Relationships experience (significant problem) 31.4% 35.4% 44.0%
Domestic violence 44.1% 49.0% 54.8%
Domestic violence perpetrator 38.5% 42.1% 47.9%
Domestic violence victim 12.7% 15.4% 18.3%
Childhood psychological problems 18.4% 27.1% 33.9%
Source: Authors analysis of OASys data